Foustanella/Tsolias Worn by diplomats and warriors, this costume was declared the national costume
for men; it is found in mountainous areas and was worn mainly in the Central
and Southern parts of Greece. The costume derives its name from the pleated
white skirt (Foustanella) made by triangular shaped pieces of cloth called "langolia"
which are sewn together diagonally. The Foustanella skirt consists of 400 pleats
symbolizing the years during which Greece was under Ottoman rule. The Greek
Fighters of the 1821 revolution wore the Foustanella while fighting the Turks.
Today it serves as the official uniform of the Evzones, the Presidential Guard,
who keep their vigil at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Athens. The remainder
of the costume is composed of a white shirt with a very wide flowing sleeve,
and embroidered woolen vest called the "fermeli" and has panels hanging
from the back. The vest can be blue, black or maroon, the latter worn by the
captain of the guard. A sash is worn around the waist, and pointed shoes which
have large pompons known as Tsarouhia which were worn for mountain climbing.

Vraka This costume, which is worn with some variations on all the Aegean islands,
is the classical type of male dress with vraka. It consists of a panavaki (white
undergarment), white shirt, karamani (baggy trousers), koumbouri (sleeveless
crossed waistcoat), sash, zaka (outer jacket)) and megalo fesi (tasseled cap).

Karagouna The Karagouna is the famous female costume from Thessaly in Central Greece.
The Karagouna costume is a wedding dress with bright colors symbolizing the
wealth of the valley of Thessaly. The name came out of the way the women could
move only their heads because of the weight of the costume and their jewelry.
This costume consists of an undergarment which is a white dress with a thick
black fringe edge, a wool coat with handmade tufts at the edges of sleeves and
embroidery at the hemline, a white sleeveless coat ''sayias'' with decorated
trim, a short red wool felt richly embroidered waistcoat, and velvet arm bands
with black or multicolored fringe. Worn around the waist is a red felt apron
with bands of embroidered gold thread and finally the black embroidered head
kerchief scarf wrapped and then twisted around the head and decorated with gold
coins across the forehead. Distinctive features of this costume, symbolizing
the wealth of the bride, are the many rows of chains of coins that are worn
across the bosom. The apron is also decorated with a brooch and silver or gold
chain piece.

Desfina (Sterea Helladas) The women's Desfina is a peasant dress of the Fokida
region of Greece. Tassels and fringe decorate the white headpiece. It is an
all white long sleeve dress. Over this is a long white vest decorated with black
and red cord. A bright red velvet apron that ties above the waist is embroidered
in gold thread.

Crete The women wear pantaloons as is common to the southern islands of Greece. They
also wear aprons in the front and back. Their black felt or velvet jackets are
richly adorned with gold embroidery, and they wear a necklace of gold coins.
On their heads they wear the black crocheted “mandili” in mourning
for the loss of the capitol of the Byzantine Empire, Constantinople (present
day Istanbul). The tassels dangling in their eyes are said to represent tears
for the people lost in the explosion of the monastery at Arkadi in Crete. When
the mandili is lowered, it is a sign that they are not to be approached.